As cryptocurrencies and blockchain become increasingly important, mastering quality knowledge is essential. This rapidly growing industry often attracts scammers. Let's learn how to recognize and acquire reliable knowledge about cryptocurrencies and avoid falling into the traps of fraudsters.

Emerging industries and the risks of poor quality education

The cryptocurrency industry is constantly evolving, attracting capital and talent into new segments. Web 3.0 aims to use blockchain to create decentralized applications and services. The ongoing tokenization of real assets (RWA), where companies issue digital tokens representing real assets such as precious metals, allows investors to participate in the asset economy at a new level. Furthermore, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) are promoting democratic processes in project management.

The rapid rise of cryptocurrency and limited understanding of its mechanisms has led many people to seek wealth through this new tool. Along with legitimate services, scam offers and products also appear. Fraudsters trick customers with attractive conditions and promises to get rich quickly, similar to Ponzi schemes in financial institutions.

A related and equally important consequence of the popularity of cryptocurrencies is the rise of “internet experts.” The explosion of interest in cryptocurrency has attracted many self-proclaimed experts, offering dubious courses and seminars. For example, seminars that promise “guaranteed income” from cryptocurrency investments after completing a course, are often just attempts to take money from unsophisticated investors.

Examples and consequences of poor quality education

The spread of bad practices, the financial loss of students of these “courses”, and the general decline in perception of the cryptocurrency industry as a serious and trustworthy area for investment and career are just a few of the negative consequences. As new industries develop, so does the risk of poor quality education. This is especially relevant to complex and constantly evolving topics like cryptocurrency and blockchain. Scammers exploit these themes to sell courses with exaggerated promises.

Typical signs of poor quality educational programs include lack of a clear curriculum, exaggerated advertising, and lack of independent reviews and negative feedback. Quality courses have clearly defined objectives and a structured approach, allowing students to increase their knowledge step by step. Be careful with courses that focus heavily on hype with promises of quick success and huge income.

It's important to approach choosing educational programs in the cryptocurrency industry with caution, seek out proven sources of information, and don't believe in promises of easy results.

Development and importance of cryptocurrency education

The cryptocurrency industry needs qualified professionals. Many factors contribute to the lack of such knowledge and the people who possess it. For example, the European Banking Authority (EBA) and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have highlighted the problem of a shortage of cryptocurrency experts. There is a strong demand for cryptocurrency education from users, especially those already involved in the cryptocurrency space.

According to a Study.com survey of 800 American parents and 200 college graduates, 86% of graduates believe they would earn more if they had formal knowledge of cryptocurrency and technology. new technology instead of a university degree. Parents also believe that cryptocurrency education should start at the high school level.

A major milestone in cryptocurrency education was the emergence of Princeton University's Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Technology course, available on the online platform Coursera since 2015. The course, led by Arvind Narayanan and others developed by others, was one of the first systematic efforts to teach students the basics of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

Modern cryptocurrency education remains a growing field and covers topics ranging from the basics of blockchain technology to in-depth study of cryptography, economics, and data management. Platforms like Udemy, Pluralsight, and Khan Academy offer courses for both beginners and advanced users. However, the quality and content of these courses can vary significantly, so choosing an educational program should be done with care and consideration.

Impact on education and society

Some professionals will need to have a basic education — a college degree in a related field, even if it is not related to cryptocurrency. There are still few university programs in cryptocurrency, but notable efforts in this direction are underway in Georgia.

Last year, Binance Charity and GITA opened applications for a free blockchain education program. The project's goal is to promote innovation activities among small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and individuals in Georgia, and their participation in the digital economy. Special emphasis is placed on women's education as part of Binance's commitment to build and fund Web3 education for women.

Binance Academy, a blockchain and cryptocurrency education platform, has been in existence since 2018. It has over 800 articles and dictionaries, courses on blockchain, cryptocurrency, Web3, and more. It provides access to courses to millions of students worldwide in more than 30 languages.

Properly structured educational materials and a trust-based relationship with the audience can contribute to the healthy growth of the industry. However, some self-proclaimed experts take advantage of their position to promote low-quality courses or worse, scam schemes. What makes cryptocurrency education attractive to pseudo “experts” is its relative novelty and high public interest, making this field of education vulnerable to exploitation.

Checklist: how to choose quality education

– Determine your learning goals. Start by determining your expectations so you don't get fooled by get-rich-quick promises.

– Research the backgrounds of experts. Reliable experts often have extensive experience in the cryptocurrency industry and a solid educational background.

– Check the course's reviews and reputation. Look for independent reviews and analysis of real cases.

– Transparency and availability of documents. Quality courses often provide sample materials or clear course descriptions.

Cryptocurrency education is not only an opportunity to master new knowledge but also an area prone to scams. Choosing the right educational courses and evaluating information critically will help you avoid mistakes and make your learning experience truly valuable.